Newsletters telling about Christian mission work throughout the world are continuously being put into circulation, each describing mission activities and often seeking financial support. We do likewise but we also wish to assure our readers that our mission work in Eastern Europe is thoroughly biblical. But in many Christian missions, Arminian theology and unscriptural practices are rampant; they have no basis in the Word of God and are detrimental to the spiritual good of their hearers. We are not only committed to spreading the Word of God; we also ensure that we circulate the soundest Bible translation obtainable and are much indebted to the Trinitarian Bible Society for their help in this important part of our mission work. We also ensure a biblical emphasis on doctrine, worship and practice as taught in our subordinate standard The Westminster Confession of Faith and its related documents, the Larger and Shorter Cateisms. With Christ central in the preaching of the Word, the small congregation in Odessa, and others who come occasionally, are constantly reminded of their sin and of Christ as the remedy. And we look to the sovereign Lord to accompany His Word with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which is so much needed and is promised by the Saviour. “When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgement” (Jn 16:8). Only under the preaching of the Word will there be an awakening of spiritually-dead sinners.
In October 2019, along with Mr Edward Ross, I visited the Odessa Mission, now well established for a number of years. It was their communion season and there were a number of visitors from abroad. We had the usual services from Thursday to Monday, although we did have to leave early on Monday due to a commitment in our Presbytery. When I preached, Rev D Levytskyi interpreted into Russian, but there was no interpreter available when Mr Levytskyi preached in Russian. Nor was there an interpreter available when, on one occasion, he preached in English. However, there is a person in the congregation who may be able to interpret in the not-too-distant future from both languages, just as Mr Levytskyi does. This person is endeavouring to come to grips with as many theological terms as possible before he ventures to engage in this important duty.
There were no large gatherings at the services, but there was, it seemed, earnest attention, from some more than from others. One person was deeply moved though not able to attend regularly due to particular circumstances. We pray that such emotional stirrings will not be like that of Ephraim and Judah: “Your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away” (Hos 6:4).
Translation work is making good progress thanks to the tireless work of Mrs N Hopkins, who lives in England. What has already been translated into Russian has now to be translated also into Ukrainian. In the past, Russian was the common language throughout most of Ukraine. Now the Ukrainian language is compulsory in all walks of life, thereby eliminating, to a degree, the need for Russian. We are at the stage of getting a number of these Ukrainian translations into print. We have had a variety of serious problems with our last printer and have returned to a former contact. Mr Levytskyi reported in early December 2019 that he had collected an edition of The Shorter Catechism in Ukrainian from this contact’s printing works and he is happy with the quality. Mrs I Levytskyi has nearly completed metrical versions of the Russian psalms, but now that the Ukrainian language is compulsory, the provision of metrical psalms in Ukrainian has likewise to be completed. Mrs Levytskyi has begun work on this. The tunes she has collected and composed fit the metrical psalms smoothly in both languages.
Thankfully the work of distribution goes on at the usual pace. Mr Zadorozhnyi is mainly involved in distribution, while Mr Levitskyi attends to translating and editing in preparation for printing. This work brings in words of support and encouragement from recipients. Although they come from a variety of denominations holding views somewhat out of line with Reformed teaching, it is cause for gratitude to the Most High that some receive our literature and readily embrace Reformed views, which at one time were little known in many parts of the visible Church in the Ukraine.
In the past when visiting the Mission, much of our time was taken up with business relating to the building of the mission house but, as with any property, time always has to be set aside for repairs and improvements. One such improvement, mentioned already in reports, was the change from gas heating to log burners for the manse and the church. This is because of a 200% rise in the cost of gas, and many families suffer keenly as a result. Since our last report, it was necessary to upgrade the log burner in the manse. Most of the repairs and improvements fall on Mr Levytskyi’s shoulders and, without his building skills from the past, it would be impossible to carry these out apart from employing contractors. Since our last visit Mr Levytskyi, with the help of family members, installed the new entrance directly from the street into the church. It is a steel security door weighing 200kg and had to be shifted into place with the use of jacks. Such heavy doors are needed because criminals are ever seeking to break into properties.
The matter which rejoices our heart is that the preaching of the gospel is now established in Odessa, as well as the spreading of Bible-based literature throughout Ukraine. Sadly, Russia is not now open to receiving our literature due to aggression between Russia and the Ukraine. Nevertheless, a lot of good work is being done, and there are ample opportunities to keep the Mission busy in the present circumstances. At best it is only a little that we accomplish in comparison with the vast need of the people, morally and spirituality.
Of course, the mission in Odessa needs continued financial support. However, what we most deeply crave is the prayers of the Lord’s people for the ongoing prosperity of the work in Odessa. Paul, in his frequent journeys and labour in the gospel, asked for the prayers of the brethren. When writing to Philemon, his fellow soldier, to ask for a lodging place, he no doubt had regard to matters bound up with the gospel when he said, “I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you”. The value of prayer continues since God directs us to pray and He promises an answer. Then we, as did the Psalmist, will give praise: “Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me” (Ps 66:20).